The pages of pageantry are filled with stories worth telling, and the Miss Universe Philippines candidates from Mandaue and to Quezon are taking charge of their personal narratives
A woman, no matter how personal her journey is, always nurtures the narratives of others. Coloring her life with purpose, the story of life is hers to tell, but one that she shares to her community. This truth about the female experience echoes through the representatives from Mandaue to Quezon City in the Miss Universe Philippines 2024 competition. Donning Martin Bautista’s pieces from his 15th anniversary collection entitled StiLl-LiFe, the contenders get up close and personal with MEGA on their journey of being on the move to make a change.
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Victoria Leslie Ingram, Mandaue
With her on-ground experience as a public health nurse, Victoria is in constant and consistent pursuit of looking after the health and welfare of her community. Through the Miss Universe Philippines platform, she wants to extend her advocacy for inclusive public health as a practitioner herself. “I want to still be of service to the Filipino but just in a different arena,” she says.
Breaking the boundaries of pageantry and profession in more ways than one, the 26-year-old Mandaue representative also adheres to inclusivity in different aspects—physical beauty included. As a candidate sporting a daring pixie cut, she shares, “My haircut is a practical choice, given my practice as a nurse. During the pandemic, I had to make things easier for me to fit into my PPE. It was a practical choice that turned into a fashion statement. It’s so liberating that women who look like me are being seen and acknowledged. Even my tattoos have become conversation starters that build connections with other people that we meet.”
Ysabel Macuja, Manila
Potential runs deep with Ysabel, a pageant neophyte who already has a clear vision of the issues that she wants to forward using the platform. “I resonate with women’s struggles, and I want to empower single mothers through emotional and communal support,” she points out. “Even in their own homes, I want them to have communities that make them feel that they are not alone.”
Anchoring another advocacy close to her heart, she wants to keep her late grandmother’s memory alive through Alzheimer’s awareness. “She forgot to breathe due to her condition. I want to advocate for this because it’s not just as simple as calling people baliw or crazy,” she explains. “It can happen to anyone, and it’s better that people can get checked sooner and be informed on how to deal with it for themselves and others as well.
Mary Yasol, Miami
As a female force of empowerment, Mary continues to share her journey in thriving in a patriarchal society. “I am a minority. I am a survivor of domestic violence. Now, I am a businesswoman in a male-dominated real estate market,” she declares. “I tell my story with pride because I want to promote that love is not abuse. It is supposed to be patient.”
The Miami representative also stresses the importance of progressive healing when it comes to overcoming challenges in life. “It’s great to overcome these things, but how do we sustain it? Through the MUPH platform, it has really opened my eyes to so many gaps in the market,” she shares. “I want to use this opportunity of mine to also create opportunities for Filipinos in the country and those who are abroad.”
Ella Hollman, Mariveles
A mother’s story resonates with women of different ages, as it also tells the story of a child. For Ella Hollman of Mariveles, the competition is for her own community of women and children, especially those who have been victims of domestic violence.
“This is the reason why I mainly joined,” she says. “More than the beauty, it’s really the cause that you want to bring into the organization. I’m 33 years old, married, and a mother to two amazing kids. Notions of society didn’t stop me from achieving my goals, and that’s something I want my children to learn from me as well.”
Kayla Carter, Northern California
If there is one word to describe Kayla’s voyage to the Miss Universe Philippines crown, it is courage. For her, it was not a matter of reasons “despite”, but determined statements of “because.” The Filipino-American shares, “This is my first pageant experience. I connect with this journey because I grew up watching pageants as a little girl with my family.”
Living with Von Willebrand Disease, the Northern California contender sees her condition as a source of strength and voice to keep going both in pageantry and in life. “The trials and tribulations that I faced have helped me become a strong and empowered version of myself,” sheutters with determination. “Because of these, I allow no one the power to tell me who I am and what I can achieve.”
Maica Cabling Martinez, Nueva Ecija
Second chances are the charm for Maica, but none of it is by fate alone. From her college story of not passing UPCAT (The University of the Philippines College Admission Test) and yet graduating from the university with a cum laude distinction, she also makes a comeback in the Miss Universe Philippines stage two years after her first try.
“I am 30 years old,” she notes. “A lot of people doubt me and question why I joined again. I receive a lot of criticism as well with my body structure, because I don’t fit into people’s standards of the ideal height, weight, and my age. But no matter how many setbacks or failures, this is not only just for me. I want to continue my service to humanity.”
Zoleil Mellane Taño, Occidental Mindoro
Passing the power of belief from one experience to another, Zoleil stands with pride as she advocates for the Mangyan communities in Occidental Mindoro. “I joined pageantry because someone believed in me. In return, that’s what I want to do with others as well. With the privilege given to me and my purposeful vision, I want the minorities to have the same opportunities as we do. They deserve access to quality education and livelihood opportunities.”
Hershey Mhae Senit, Pagadian
The mention of one’s condition often precedes the individual. In Hershey’s epilepsy journey, she lives by this truth, but refuses to merely be defined by it. “It didn’t hinder me from being the first delegate of Pagadian for the Miss Universe Philippines stage,” she says proudly.
With society’s stigma of deeming those with conditions as abnormal, she hopes to shed light on her journey. “People need to be aware that disorders like epilepsy have triggers. They tend to think that I can just get seizures anytime,” she explains. “While that may be true and unexpected, I have medications and methods that help me live my life normally. I am still capable of pursuing my dreams.”
Raven Doctor, Palawan
At 18 years old, Raven has no business of rushing into growing up. For her, her exact age is a good time to cement one’s advocacy in the community. “A lot of youth my age in the Philippines are often quieted by society. In my case, people would usually comment on my age, and say that it’s my weakness coming into this pageant,” she shares. “But being young comes with the fact that I am imaginative. So, I am a visionary—and this Miss Universe Philippines was once a vision that I turned into reality.”
Knowing the power of youth in society, her advocacy is for the children of Palawan. “Through the help of my church, we go to communities and teach children how to read and write,” she explains. “They’re the ones who pushed me to join in this year’s edition, and I want to stand up for their stories as well.”
Cyrille Payumo, Pampanga
In her own hustle as a rental unit business owner, the 27-year-old contender realized the struggle of providing for one’s basic needs and rights. Hence, this serves as an inspiration for her to advocate for a better life for her Kapampangan citizens, primarily the indigenous communities. “They comprise thirty percent of Pampanga’s population. I want them to be given the space to speak for themselves and their rights while people listen,” she says. “With them as my inspiration through this pageant, I continue to advocate for their lives and their protection.”
Apart from Pampanga’s own moniker as the Culinary Capital of the Philippines, Cyrille also wants to highlight the other aspects that make their province worth visiting and going back to. “We have so much to offer when it comes to historical sights and festivals that we celebrate. I also want to highlight our talented Kapampangan designers. I want to uplift all of them, and now is the time.”
Grace Jineah Chua Lumague, Pangasinan
In her own practice as a health and nursing student, Grace carries empathy everywhere she goes. As she looks forward to a bright future ahead of her as a medical practitioner, she sees the Miss Universe Philippines platform as a place where she can advocate for an improvement of one’s quality of life and the protection of human rights.
“I want to address the real concerns of the marginalized groups with the help of the organization,” she says. “This is a big platform, and through this, I want to be the voice of the Filipinos of the abused women and children who are afraid to speak for themselves. I hope to be their voice and help them use theirs until they themselves can do it.”
Selena Reyes, Pasig City
Representing a city that is known for its hustle and bustle, Selena is an unstoppable force at 38 and a mother of two children. “Not everyone is a mother,” she points out. “But pursuing my dreams is something that hopefully everyone can relate to, especially moms. I am here to really represent mothers well, and make my kids proud.”
Knowing that journey will be a source of inspiration and pride for her son and daughter, she hopes that they also take something away from her experience. “I hope that they live life by taking each day just step by step; and that they make the most of the opportunities given to them,” she says.
Cam Lagmay, Quezon City
When she was a child, Cam saw a cheerleader on television. Something in her sparked, and years later, she became the leader of the UP Pep Squad, then the Captain of the National Cheerleading Team. By some stroke of coincidence, her pageant journey also started through a television view. “In 2015, I saw Pia Wurtzbach on television and wanted to be like her. Now, I’m here pursuing my dream of inspiring people through pageantry,” she states.
As an advocate of and practitioner in the field of health and witness, she promotes a holistic and healthy self as one achieves their goals in life. This is one mission that forwards through Global Train With Cam Community, where she trains hundreds and thousands of women to practice healthy habits and self-love. In her own words, “My journey is a reminder of the power of dreams. It extends to the power of influencing others, and the power of working hard to achieve anything that you want in life.”
Miss Naic was unavailable during the shoot day.
Photographed by DOOKIE DUCAY (Group). Photographed by JHARWIN CASTANEDA (Solo). Producer by JONES PALTENG and MIA CASTRO. Creative Direction by BRIE VENTURA. Art Direction ANDREW ENCAPAS. Written by GIANNA SIBAL. Fashion Direction by RYUJI SHIOMITSU. Pieces by CHRIS NICK. Styling by RYUJI SHIOMITSU and BITHIA REYES, assisted by FED PANEN, RICH FORTU, and ERICA TEROL. Editorial Assistant JOANA FERNANDO. Sittings Editor MIA CASTRO
Shot on location PIONEERX STUDIOS
Special thanks to MISS UNIVERSE PHILIPPINES and EMPIRE PH
